Understanding socio-demographic factors associated with shared-use-paths (SUPs) utilization

Abstract

Shared Use Paths (SUPs) are becoming very popular in North America due to the current initiatives that promote active travel. SUPs can accommodate different types of users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, scooterists, and skateboarders. Although the interest in SUPs continues to increase, relatively less research has been performed on their utilization, especially using revealed preferences. Therefore, this study utilizes the survey data collected from Edmonton, Canada, between June 12th to 19th 2018 to explore the likelihood of utilizing the SUPs and the associated frequency of use. Results indicate that not all variables associated with the likelihood of utilization are also associated with the frequency of use. Specifically, higher levels of education influence the likelihood of SUP utilization, while the higher frequency of SUP usage is influenced by the secondary modes of transportation. On the other hand, as the age increases, the likelihood and frequency of SUP usage decreases. Further, households with higher income are associated with a higher likelihood of SUP utilization, male residents are likely to use the SUPs more frequently compared to their female counterparts. Other variations are also observed for home ownership and whether the resident resides in a downtown area. The application of the findings to the city planners and active travel initiatives have been provided to improve the planning and installation/construction of the SUPs facilities.